California Workers' Comp Retaliation Lawyer

Fired or Punished for Filing a Workers' Comp Claim?

Filing a workers' compensation claim is your legal right — and California law strictly prohibits employers from retaliating against you for exercising that right. Yet employer retaliation against injured workers remains disturbingly common. Workers are fired, demoted, given reduced hours, transferred to undesirable positions, or subjected to hostile treatment after filing workers' compensation claims. If this has happened to you, you may be entitled to significant compensation under California's anti-retaliation laws.

Attorney Eman Yazdchi, a Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, aggressively pursues retaliation claims against employers who violate injured workers' rights. Our firm has recovered substantial awards for workers who were illegally punished for seeking the benefits they were entitled to.

Labor Code Section 132a — California's Anti-Retaliation Law

The primary protection against workers' compensation retaliation is found in Labor Code Section 132a, which provides:

“It is the declared policy of this state that there should not be discrimination against workers who are injured in the course and scope of their employment.”

Under Section 132a, it is illegal for any employer to discharge, threaten to discharge, or in any manner discriminate against an employee because that employee:

• Filed or made known their intention to file a workers' compensation claim
• Received a workers' compensation award, rating, or settlement
• Testified or made known their intention to testify on behalf of another injured worker

Section 132a claims are heard before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB), not in civil court. The remedies available include:

• Reinstatement to your former position
• Back pay — lost wages and benefits from the date of termination
• Increased compensation of up to $10,000
• Costs and expenses up to $250
• Attorney fees

What Constitutes Workers' Comp Retaliation?

Retaliation can take many forms beyond outright termination. Common examples include:

Termination: Being fired shortly after filing a workers' compensation claim, reporting an injury, or returning from medical leave. Even if the employer cites other reasons for the termination, the timing and circumstances may demonstrate retaliatory intent.

Demotion or Reduced Hours: Being moved to a lower-paying position, having your hours cut, or being excluded from overtime opportunities after filing a claim.

Failure to Provide Modified Work: Refusing to offer modified or light-duty work when it is available, or creating unreasonable work restrictions designed to force you out.

Hostile Work Environment: Subjecting you to harassment, intimidation, excessive surveillance, or negative treatment after you file a claim.

Refusal to Rehire: Employers with 50 or more employees are required to offer you your former position or a comparable position when you are medically released to return to work. Failure to do so may constitute retaliation.

Threats: Making statements designed to discourage you from filing a claim, such as threatening termination, threatening immigration consequences, or warning that filing will harm your career.

Proving Workers' Comp Retaliation

To establish a Section 132a claim, you must prove three elements:

1. Protected Activity: You engaged in a protected activity — filing a workers' compensation claim, receiving benefits, or testifying in a workers' comp proceeding.

2. Adverse Action: Your employer took an adverse employment action against you — termination, demotion, reduction in hours, refusal to rehire, or other discriminatory treatment.

3. Causal Connection: The adverse action was motivated, at least in part, by your workers' compensation claim or protected activity. Circumstantial evidence of retaliation includes close temporal proximity between the claim and the adverse action, inconsistent reasons given by the employer, disparate treatment compared to employees who did not file claims, and statements by supervisors or managers revealing discriminatory animus.

Additional Legal Protections Against Retaliation

Beyond Labor Code Section 132a, injured workers may have additional legal remedies:

FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act): If your work injury qualifies as a disability under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Government Code Section 12940), your employer has an obligation to engage in the interactive process and provide reasonable accommodations. Failure to accommodate or termination based on disability status may give rise to a separate FEHA claim, which can be pursued in civil court for compensatory damages, emotional distress damages, and punitive damages.

CFRA (California Family Rights Act): If you took medical leave for your work injury under the California Family Rights Act, retaliation for taking protected leave is separately actionable.

Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy: Under the common law tort of wrongful termination, being fired for filing a workers' compensation claim may constitute a violation of fundamental public policy, giving rise to a civil lawsuit for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages. The seminal California case Tameny v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (1980) established this cause of action.

Time Limits for Filing Retaliation Claims

The statute of limitations for different retaliation claims varies:

• Labor Code Section 132a: Must be filed within one year of the discriminatory act
• FEHA claims: File a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) within three years of the adverse action
• Wrongful termination: Generally a two-year statute of limitations from the date of termination

Acting promptly is essential to preserving your rights. If you believe you have been retaliated against for filing a workers' compensation claim, contact Yazdchi Law immediately.

Documenting Employer Retaliation

If you suspect retaliation, take steps to protect yourself:

• Keep copies of all communications with your employer — emails, texts, letters, and notes from conversations
• Document the timeline of events — when you filed your claim, when adverse actions occurred
• Save performance reviews and disciplinary records showing your work history before and after the claim
• Identify witnesses who can corroborate the employer's retaliatory behavior
• Do not sign any severance agreements or releases without consulting an attorney

Contact Yazdchi Law — Fight Back Against Retaliation

No worker should have to choose between their health and their job. If your employer has retaliated against you for exercising your workers' compensation rights, Attorney Eman Yazdchi will fight aggressively to hold them accountable and recover the compensation you deserve. Call (661) 273-1780 for a free consultation today.

California Cities We Serve

Yazdchi Law represents injured workers in all 690+ cities across California. Find your local workers' compensation page below.

Alameda County

Alameda, Albany, Ashland, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Dublin, Emeryville, Fairview, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Union City

Amador County

Amador City, Ione, Jackson, Plymouth, Sutter Creek

Butte County

Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Magalia, Oroville, Oroville East, Paradise

Calaveras County

Angels Camp, Copperopolis, Rancho Calaveras, Red Corral, Valley Springs

Colusa County

Colusa, Williams

Contra Costa County

Alamo, Antioch, Bay Point, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Hercules, Kensington, Lafayette, Martinez, Montalvin Manor, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pacheco, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, Rodeo, Rollingwood, San Pablo, San Ramon, Saranap, Tara Hills, Walnut Creek

Del Norte County

Crescent City

El Dorado County

Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Pine Hills, Placerville, Pollock Pines, Rescue, Shingle Springs, South Lake Tahoe

Fresno County

Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Fresno, Huron, Kerman, Kingsburg, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, Reedley, San Joaquin, Sanger, Selma, Squaw Valley, West Park

Glenn County

Orland, Willows

Humboldt County

Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, Trinidad

Imperial County

Brawley, Calexico, El Centro, Heber, Holtville, Imperial, Salton City, Westmorland

Inyo County

Bishop

Kern County

Arvin, Bakersfield, California City, Delano, Inyokern, Kernville, Lamont, Lebec, Maricopa, McFarland, North Edwards, Pine Mountain Club, Ridgecrest, Rosamond, Rosedale, Shafter, Stallion Springs, Taft, Tehachapi, Wasco, Weedpatch

Kings County

Avenal, Corcoran, Hanford, Lemoore

Lake County

Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Lakeport, Lucerne

Lassen County

Susanville

Los Angeles County

Acton, Agoura Hills, Agua Dulce, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Artesia, Avalon, Avocado Heights, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Bradbury, Burbank, Calabasas, Canyon Country, Carson, Castaic, Cerritos, Charter Oak, Charter Oaks, Citrus, Claremont, Commerce, Compton, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Del Aire, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, East Los Angeles, East Rancho Dominguez, East Whittier, El Monte, El Segundo, Florence-Graham, Gardena, Glendale, Glendora, Hacienda Heights, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Huntington Park, Industry, Inglewood, Irwindale, Kagel Canyon, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Lake Los Angeles, Lakewood, Lancaster, Lawndale, Lennox, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Palmdale, Palos Verdes Estates, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Quartz Hill, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Sherwood Forest, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, South Whittier, Stevenson Ranch, Sun Village, Sunland-Tujunga, Temple City, Topanga, Torrance, Val Verde, Valinda, Valley Village, Vernon, View Park-Windsor Hills, Walnut, Walnut Park, West Athens, West Carson, West Covina, West Hollywood, West Puente Valley, West Rancho Dominguez, West Whittier-Los Nietos, Westlake Village, Westmont, Whittier, Willowbrook

Madera County

Bonadelle Ranchos, Chowchilla, Madera, Oakhurst, Yosemite Lakes

Marin County

Belvedere, Bon Air, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Lucas Valley-Marinwood, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sleepy Hollow, Strawberry, Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Tiburon

Mendocino County

Fort Bragg, Point Arena, Talmage, Ukiah, Willits

Merced County

Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, Los Banos, Merced, Winton

Modoc County

Alturas

Mono County

Mammoth Lakes

Monterey County

Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Monte Forest, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pajaro, Salinas, Sand City, Seaside, Soledad

Napa County

American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, Yountville

Nevada County

Grass Valley, Lake Wildwood, Lake of the Pines, Nevada City, Truckee

Orange County

Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Coto de Caza, Cypress, Dana Point, Foothill Ranch, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, La Palma, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Las Flores, Leisure World, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, North Tustin, Orange, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, Rossmoor, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda

Placer County

Auburn, Colfax, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Loomis, Meadow Vista, North Auburn, Rocklin, Roseville

Plumas County

Portola

Riverside County

Banning, Beaumont, Bermuda Dunes, Blythe, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Corona, Cypress Lake, Desert Hot Springs, East Hemet, Eastvale, El Cerrito, French Valley, Glen Avon, Hemet, Home Gardens, Homeland, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Indian Wells, Indio, Jurupa Valley, La Quinta, Lake Elsinore, March Air Reserve Base, Mead Valley, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Norco, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Pedley, Perris, Rancho Mirage, Riverside, Rubidoux, San Jacinto, Temecula, Temescal Valley, Thousand Palms, Valle Vista, Vista Santa Rosa, Wildomar, Winchester, Woodcrest

Sacramento County

Arden-Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Florin, Folsom, Foothill Farms, Galt, Gold River, Herald, Isleton, La Riviera, North Highlands, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Murieta, Rosemont, Sacramento, Vineyard

San Benito County

Hollister, Ridgemark, San Juan Bautista

San Bernardino County

Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Bloomington, Buckingham Park, Chino, Chino Hills, Colton, Crestline, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Hesperia, Highland, Joshua Tree, Lake Arrowhead, Loma Linda, Mentone, Montclair, Morongo Valley, Muscoy, Needles, Ontario, Phelan, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, Running Springs, San Bernardino, Twentynine Palms, Upland, Victorville, Wrightwood, Yermo, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley

San Diego County

Bonita, Bonsall, Camp Pendleton, Carlsbad, Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, Chula Vista, Coronado, Crest, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Harbison Canyon, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, La Presa, Lake San Marcos, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Mira Mesa, National City, Oceanside, Poway, Ramona, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego, San Marcos, San Pasqual, Santee, Solana Beach, Spring Valley, Valley Center, Vista, Winter Gardens

San Francisco County

San Francisco

San Joaquin County

Country Club, Country Club Estates, Escalon, Garden Acres, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Mountain House, Ripon, Stockton, Tracy, Woodbridge

San Luis Obispo County

Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Cambria, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita, Shandon

San Mateo County

Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, Broadmoor, Burlingame, Colma, Daly City, East Palo Alto, Emerald Lake Hills, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Montara, Moss Beach, North Fair Oaks, Pacifica, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco, Woodside

Santa Barbara County

Buellton, Goleta, Guadalupe, Isla Vista, Lompoc, Montecito, Orcutt, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, Solvang

Santa Clara County

Campbell, Cupertino, East Foothills, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, San Martin, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Stanford, Sunnyvale

Santa Cruz County

Capitola, Corralitos, Felton, Live Oak, Lompico, Rio del Mar, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Soquel, Watsonville

Shasta County

Anderson, Happy Valley, Redding, Shasta Lake

Sierra County

Loyalton

Siskiyou County

Dorris, Dunsmuir, Etna, Fort Jones, Montague, Mount Shasta, Tulelake, Weed, Yreka

Solano County

Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, Vallejo

Sonoma County

Boyes Hot Springs, Cloverdale, Cotati, Glen Ellen, Graton, Healdsburg, Larkfield-Wikiup, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Roseland, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, Windsor

Stanislaus County

Ceres, Hughson, Modesto, Newman, Oakdale, Patterson, Riverbank, Turlock, Waterford

Sutter County

Live Oak, Yuba City

Tehama County

Corning, Red Bluff, Tehama

Tulare County

Dinuba, Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia, Woodlake

Tuolumne County

Sonora

Ventura County

Camarillo, Casa Conejo, Fillmore, Meiners Oaks, Moorpark, Oak Park, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Buenaventura, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks

Yolo County

Davis, Knights Landing, West Sacramento, Winters, Woodland

Yuba County

Linda, Marysville, Olivehurst, Wheatland